Webelos and Arrow of Light Den

Let’s Plan a Webelos Den Meeting Be guided by the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide. Cover all parts of the meeting. Focus on how the advancement activities will be handled. Are no more than one hour long. Say (in your own words): Now it’s your turn to plan a good den meeting. Do: Separate the group into Webelos “dens,” with no more than four people in each group. Choose an activity badge that is coming up in the next month and give a copy of the Webelos den meetings from the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide that features the activity badge. Show the resources that they have available to help them. Have them share information on how they might approach the den meeting and have them plan a meeting around the activity badge. Allow 10 minutes for their planning session. Have one or two groups discuss what they have planned. Resources: Webelos Handbook, Webelos Leader Guide, Cub Scout Leader How- To Book, Cub Scout Songbook, Group Meeting Sparklers, Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide

Webelos Scouts Are Boys Fourth- and fifth-grader (age 10) behavior. Inquisitive but growing School is now routine; boys are looking for new challenges. Some are new to Scouting, some are previous Cub Scouts. Build trust. They have a new leader—you! Say (in your own words): These boys are older and becoming more mature. They will rely on you as their leader. Set the example! Do: Discuss these points with the participants. Ask for examples, if time permits.

Webelos Scouts Are Boys Parental involvement is needed. They need hands-on projects. More independence should be expected of the boys. Follow a code of conduct in meetings and other locations. Teach individual responsibility. Say (in your own words): Parents are still important. Do: Discuss these points with the participants. Ask for examples, if time permits. Discuss the use of a code of conduct in a den setting. Show the Cub Scout Leader Book as a reference. Resource: Cub Scout Leader Book

Webelos Advancement Encouragement and recognition of achievement Grade-related and age-appropriate Webelos den leader encourages, ensures, and approves advancement. Say (in your own words): Boys love to learn things and they also like to be recognized for what they do. In younger dens, parents help with advancement activities. In Webelos dens, the den leaders are responsible for all advancement activities. Do: Note that you have mentioned activity badges, the Webelos badge, and the Arrow of Light, and that this is when participants will learn the details.

Webelos Advancement Bobcat badge Webelos activity badges Webelos badge Compass points emblem Arrow of Light Say (in your own words): The first step in Webelos Scout advancement is earning the Bobcat badge. If they already have the Bobcat badge they do not need to earn it again. Do: Remind participants that boys cannot earn badges that are for younger boys: Webelos Scouts, who are in the fourth or fifth grade, cannot earn the Wolf or Bear badge. Explain that the “standard of performance” for achievements and electives is for the boys to “do their best.” If they did their best, they completed the requirement. Tell participants that the boys will earn Webelos activity badges to fulfill requirements for earning the Webelos badge. Explain that Webelos and the Arrow of Light are two separate ranks, with Arrow of Light being the highest a Cub Scout can earn and the only one that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. Explain that the compass points emblem and compass points are a way to recognize elective achievement and not a rank. Explain that the pack meeting is the place where you will publicly recognize each Webelos Scout’s completion of the Bobcat badge, activity badges, Webelos badge, and Arrow of Light.

Webelos Activity Badges Physical Skills Aquanaut Athlete Fitness Sportsman Outdoor Activity Forester Geologist Naturalist Outdoorsman Community Citizen Communicator Family Member Readyman Mental Skills Artist Scholar Showman Traveler Technology Craftsman Engineer Handyman Scientist Say (in your own words): There are 20 activity badges in five different categories. Do: Explain that the activity badges are in areas of interest to boys of this age and that they teach important life lessons and provide skills needed for the transition into Boy Scouting. Using the Webelos Handbook, review the requirements for the activity badge participants used in planning the den meeting. Make sure that the leaders understand that most activity badges have some mandatory and some optional requirements. Assure the leaders that if they are not experts in an activity badge topic, it is best to find people who are and who can help boys with the badge. Resource: Webelos Handbook

Activity Badge Counselor Helps Webelos Scouts earn activity badges Provides instruction at Webelos den meetings The service is temporary and is not a registered BSA position Say (in your own words): Webelos den leaders can use the Parent Talent Survey forms in their recruitment of activity badge counselors. The activity badge counselor helps Webelos Scouts earn activity badges. This person may be an adult family member of a Webelos Scout, a pack leader, a teacher, a coach, or another adult qualified to teach skills of an activity badge to Webelos Scouts. Do: The counselor provides activity badge instruction at Webelos den meetings, as requested by the Webelos den leader. For instance, this could include providing resources, leading field trips, or providing instruction, depending on the activity badge requirements. The service is temporary, usually extends over three or four den meetings for each badge, and is a not a registered BSA position.

Earning the Webelos Badge Eight total requirements Complete three activity badges Fitness (Physical Skills) Citizen (Community) One from any of the three other groups: Outdoor Activities Mental Skills Technology Boy Scout preparation and knowledge Say (in your own words): The requirements for the Webelos badge are found in the Webelos Handbook and the Webelos Leader Guide. Do: Show the requirements in the Webelos Handbook. Also show the location of the requirements in the Webelos Leader Guide. Using the Webelos Handbook, discuss the requirements for the Webelos badge. Show how the den meeting plans outlined in the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide utilize the activity badges to complete the Webelos requirements. Resources: Webelos Handbook, Webelos Leader Guide, Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide

Earning the Arrow of Light Six months in the den Preparation to join a Boy Scout troop Eight activity badges, including the three for the Webelos badge Troop visit Campout Say (in your own words): Earning the Arrow of Light is the top accomplishment in Cub Scouting. An Arrow of Light Award earned as a Webelos Scout can be worn later on Boy Scout and adult uniforms. Do: Show the requirements for Arrow of Light in the Webelos Handbook. Using the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide, discuss the requirements for the Arrow of Light and how the outlined den meeting plans lean to achieving the Arrow of Light rank. Reinforce that the Arrow of Light is a significant accomplishment and should be awarded in a special ceremony. Resources: Webelos Handbook, Webelos Leader Guide, Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide

Recognition Immediate At pack meeting Belt loops and pins Webelos colors At pack meeting Activity badges Compass points emblem Belt loops and pins Academics and Sports Say (in your own words): We reward the completion of activity badges by placing activity badge pins on the Webelos colors. As Webelos Scouts earn activity badges, the pack may also choose to award them the compass point emblem and compass point pins. The boys may also have completed the requirements for an Academics or Sports belt loop or pin. All of these are awarded at the pack meeting. Do: Show the Webelos colors and sample activity badge pins. Using the Webelos Leader Guide, discuss the requirements for the compass points emblem found in the “Webelos Planning Guide” section. Briefly explain how the Academics and Sports loop program works. Mention how the Academics part of the program makes learning fun and how the Sports part keeps our kids active. Webelos activity badge pins are awarded at a pack meeting. Resource: Webelos Leader Guide

The Field Trip A monthly field trip Opportunity for boys to discover new things Will be related to handbook advancement or the monthly Core Value In the immediate locale Remember the age group (10- to 11-year-olds) Have fun! Say (in your own words): The field trip is often the most exciting part of the Cub Scout program. Do: Discuss the points of the slide. Show the participants field trip planning points in the Cub Scout Leader Book and Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide.

Planning Webelos Field Trips Prior planning is a must. Share the planning and execution. Involve your field trip location contact. Use a Tour Planning Checklist. Say (in your own words): What would make for an exciting field trip? Do: Have the group provide suggestions about where to go in the community. List any safety precautions, and discuss information possibly related to electives. Talk about the importance of filing a Tour Planning Checklist and how to do that.

Record Keeping Say (in your own words): To make sure that the Webelos receive the recognition they have earned, we have to do some record keeping. Do: Show the record keeping section in the back of the Webelos Handbook and say that this is the first step in record keeping. Show the Webelos Den Record and other forms. Explain that the information from the boys’ handbooks is transferred to the forms during the den meetings. Explain that when a boy has earned the Bobcat badge, activity badges, the Webelos badge, or Arrow of Light, the den leader must inform the pack advancement chair. The advancement chair will then get the badge and have it for the boy at the next pack meeting. If possible, notify the chair at least two weeks before the pack meeting so that the badge can be obtained in time. Please do not disappoint the boy! Resources: Webelos Den Record, Webelos Handbook

Webelos Activities Pack meeting participation Activity-badge-related outings Camping! Pack overnighters Family camping Webelos den camping Boy Scout troop joint campouts Day camps Resident camp Good Turn Say (in your own words): Den and pack meetings start the fun for the boys, but there are many other things to enjoy in Cub Scouting. Do: Discuss the items on the slide. Explain that camping as Webelos Scouts prepares the boys for Boy Scouting. Tell them that Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders is an excellent course to help the leader prepare for camping. Webelos dens are encouraged to participate in joint den-troop campouts, particularly in the fifth-grade year. Webelos Scouts should be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. These campouts should be conducted with an individual troop for the purpose of strengthening ties between the pack and troop. Discuss the need for a Tour Planning Checklist. Resources: Cub Scout Leader Book, Webelos Leader Guide, Tour Planning Checklist, Webelos Scout Overnight Checklist

Webelos-to-Scout Transition Start early. Visit troop meetings. Organize joint den/troop campouts. Visit troop activities and camporees.* Discuss options with adults and boys. Explain that not all boys will go to the same troop. Encourage completing the Arrow of Light. Encourage movement to Boy Scouts of Webelos Scouts and parents. * Webelos Scouts may not participate in activities or stay overnight. Say (in your own words): Prepare early for helping the Webelos Scouts become Boy Scouts. Do: Discuss these points with the participants. Point out the “Webelos-to-Scout Transition” section in the Webelos Leader Guide. Review the material with the participants. Refer the leaders to the Cub Scout Leader Book for more information. Resources: Webelos Leader Guide, Cub Scout Leader Book

The Denner and Assistant Denner Boy leadership Help the den leader. May lead activities. Denner service teaches responsibility. Say (in your own words): We can teach responsibility by having the boys participate in the den’s leadership. The denner and assistant denner positions should be rotated among den members so all boys will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Do: Explain the roles of the denner and assistant denner. Resource: Cub Scout Leader Book

The Den Chief Boy Scout or Venturer leadership position Older boy influence Helps the den leader. Leads activities. Positive attitude Leads by example. Say (in your own words): The den chief may also be of help. Do: Explain the role of the den chief. (See the position description and additional materials in the Cub Scout Leader Book.) Add that the den chief will be a better resource for the den if he or she has completed den chief training. Resource: Cub Scout Leader Book

Six Great Webelos Den Leader Secrets Be tolerant regarding boys’ increasingly busy schedules. Boys need a fast-moving program. Alternate energetic activities with quiet ones. Hands-on activities are better than lectures. Boys will learn self-control when given guidelines. Guide boys to Boy Scouts. Say (in your own words): Let’s review what makes a Webelos den leader great. Do: Explain that at this point in the life of a boy, he has a lot of things going on. He may not make it to all meetings and activities, but it is important to keep all boys in the program and to tolerate their early choices in life, showing them you believe that each boy is important. Discuss how these points make being a Webelos den leader most rewarding.

Webelos Den Leader Recognition Tenure Complete one year as a registered Webelos den leader. Training Complete Webelos Den Leader Fast Start training, Youth Protection training, Webelos Den Leader Position-Specific Training, and This Is Scouting. Complete outdoor training for Webelos den leaders. Attend a Cub Scout leader pow wow or University of Scouting, or at least four roundtables. Say (in your own words): So you want some recognition too? As you complete your time as a Webelos den leader, Scouting has not forgotten you. Completing the requirements for the Webelos Den Leader Award is the best way for you to excel as a leader and learn more about the things you want to accomplish. Do: Refer to the Cub Scout Leader Book for information on the Webelos Den Leader Award. Resource: Cub Scout Leader Book

Review and Questions Say (in your own words): Do you have any questions? Do: Answer questions, if any. If the questions require complex answers, ask to defer them until later or arrange for another trainer to handle the questions after training.

Congratulations! Say (in your own words): Congratulations—you have completed den leader training. Now go and have fun with your Cub Scouts! Do: Award the participants their training completion cards. You may also wish to present a completion certificate. Make sure that all participants are furnished with the dates, times, and locations of their district roundtable before they leave. Encourage them to attend roundtable regularly. Confirm completion of all elements of the Trained Leader requirements before authorizing the “Trained” status.